Chapter 11: Eyes

Anatomy and Physiology

Eye is the sensory organ that transmits visual stimuli to the brain for interpretation.
The eye itself is a direct embryologic extension of the brain. Four Rectus and Two
Oblique muscles attached to the eye. The eye itself is connected to the brain by
cranial nerve (CN) II, the optic nerve.
External Eye
Composed of the eyelid, conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, eye muscles, and
the bony orbit. Orbit contains fat, blood vessels, nerves and supporting nerve
tissue.
Eyelid
Composed of skin, striated muscle, the tarsal plate, and
conjunctivae.
Meibomian glands provide oils to the tear film
Tarsus provides a skeleton to the lid.
Distributes tears over the surface of the eye
Limits the amount of light entering it
Protects the eye from foreign bodies.
Conjunctiva
Clear, thing mucous membrane.
Palpebral conjunctiva is the part of conjunctiva that coats the
inside eyelids
The bulbar conjunctiva covers the outer surface of the eye and
protects the
anterior surface, with the exception of the cornea and the
surface of the eyelid
in contact with the globe.
Lacrimal Gland
Located in the temporal region of the superior eyelid; produces
tears that
moisten the eye.
Tears flow over the cornea and drain via the canaliculi to the
lacrimal sac
and duct and then into the nasal meatus
Eye Muscles
Superior
Inferior
Medial
Lateral rectus Only muscle innervated by the abducens.
Superior Oblique only muscle innervated by the trochlear
nerve.
Inferior Oblique
These muscles are innervated by

CN III (oculomotor) Controls the levator palpebrae superioris

(Which elevates and retracts the upper eyelid) and all
extra ocular muscles
except for the superior oblique muscle and lateral rectus
muscle.
CN IV (trochlear) CN VI (abducens)
Internal Eye
Composed of three separate layers.
Outer wall- composed of the sclera posteriorly and the cornea
anteriorly
Middle layer/Uvea- Consists of the choroid posteriorly and the
ciliary body/iris
anteriorly.
Inner this layer of nerve fibers is the retina
Sclera
Dense, avascular structure that appears anteriorly as the white
of the eye.
Physically supports the internal structure of the eye
Cornea
Constitutes the anterior sixth of the globe and is continuous with
the sclera
Optically clear and has rich sensory innervation and is avascular.
Major part of the refractive power of the eye
Uvea
Iris circular, contractile muscular disc containing pigment cells
that produce
the color of the eye. Central aperture is the pupil, through which
light travels to
the retina. Dilation/contraction controls how much light reaches
the retina.
Ciliary body- produces aqueous humor (fluid that circulates
between lens and
cornea). Contains the muscles controlling accommodation.
Choroid a pigmented, richly vascular layer that supplies
oxygen to the outer
layer of the retina.
Lens
Biconvex, transparent structure located immediately behind the
iris.
Supported circumferentially by fibers arising from the ciliary
body.
Lens is highly elastic, contraction/relaxation of the ciliary body
changes its
thickness, permitting images from varied distances to be
focused on retina.

Retina
The sensory network of the eye. Transforms light impulses into
electrical
impulses., which are transmitted through:
Optic nerve: passes through the optic foramen along with the
ophthalmic art/ve
Communicates with the brain and the autonomic nervous
system of the eye.
Accurate binocular vision achieved when image on retina is
fused by cornea/len
Infants and Children
Eyes develop during first 8 weeks of gestation (malformed to maternal drug
ingest/infection
Vision delops through